Harwell doesn't plan to press for new vote on wine in grocery stores legislation

NASHVILLE — House Speaker Beth Harwell says she doesn’t plan to press fellow Republican Rep. Matthew Hill to call for another vote on bill to hold local referendums on grocery store wine sales.

Hill, who is the chairman of the House Local Government Committee, cast the deciding vote against the measure last week after previously voting in favor of it in a subcommittee.

Harwell had attended the meeting in person to cast a tiebreaking vote if needed. She told reporters on Monday that she had not yet discussed the vote with Hill because she had to leave town to attend her mother’s funeral.

Hill said he was upset because proponents didn’t want to discuss amendments to measure. Harwell said she wished he had raised those concerns with her first.